September is for transitions: an equinox, return to school, seasons officially change. Yet, it’s also continuous, with ongoing art shows, new chances to learn, and time to just enjoy birds (and possibly coffee).
The Museum is open Wednesday – Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm. The trails are open sunrise to sunset, every day—for now only on the pond side of the property, thanks to flooding in July. Libraries have passes you can check out, and admission is always free for members (https://birdsofvermont.org/membership/).
=== SEPTEMBER EVENTS ===
“THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE” ART SHOW
The Museum’s 2024 community art exhibit continues in Spetember! What is the Power of Perspective? Explore, examine, and delight in art that speaks to both humans’ and birds’ perspectives and experiences. How might a change in perspective alter people’s understanding of the lives and needs of the birds who share our world?
Included with museum admission, no registration necessary
More info: https://birdsofvermont.org/event/power-of-perspective-2024-september/
INTERNATIONAL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY
Saturday, September 7 • All-day
Stop by the Museum (we’re open 10am – 4pm) to discover how many vulture species live in Vermont (and where). Can you find all of our vulture carvings? Check out one of our larger carvings and imagine where would we have had to put it if Bob Spear had carved it with its wings outspread!
Not in Vermont? Drop by the site https://www.VultureDay.org
NATIONAL HUMMINGBIRD DAY
Saturday, September 7 • All-day
The first Saturday of September is also a day to celebrate Hummingbirds! For us, this is the month we say “good-bye ’til next year!” to the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. We usually see our last ones in early to mid-September.
Because of climate changes and the impact on their habitat, many species of hummingbirds are currently on the list of vulnerable or endangered species through the IUCN Red List. National Hummingbird Day is here to remind us to appreciate and honor these tiny little creatures.
MEANDER FOR MUSHROOMS
Saturday, September 14 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Meg Madden leads an exploration on the Museum’s trails: to seek, to find, and to understand the fungi that live in and on our corner of the wood-wide web. On this walk we will explore the woods and learn about the mushrooms we find along the way including what they are, how to identify them, and the essential roles that these fungi play in forest ecology. We will also discuss the importance of community science and learn tips and tricks for taking mushroom photos.
Note: this is NOT a foraging program.
Outdoors
Limit: 15 • please register in advance
Register at https://birdsofvermont.org/event/meander-for-mushrooms-2024/
CELEBRATION IN MEMORY OF GALE LAWRENCE
Sunday, September 22 • 2:00 – 4:00pm
Take time this afternoon to celebrate the life of Gale Lawrence, a naturalist, teacher, and writer. Please bring a photo or memory to share.
RSVP (so we can organize refreshments) at https://birdsofvermont.org/event/celebration-in-memory-of-gale-lawrence/
Read about Gale at https://birdsofvermont.org/gale-lawrence/
SEPTEMBER BIRD MONITORING WALK
Saturday, September 28 • 8:00 am
Join our monthly monitoring walk to record birds on the Museum’s property. Please bring your own binoculars and dress for the weather.
Free, suggested donation $5 – $15 • Max: 12 people
Register for museum events at https://birdsofvermont.org/event/september-bird-monitoring-walk-2024/
NATIONAL COFFEE DAY
Saturday, September 29 • All-day
For National Coffee Day, make a commitment to buying and drinking bird-friendly coffee. Not sure what that is? Start here: https://birdsofvermont.org/event/national-coffee-day-2024/
Find out more at our website, https://birdsofvermont.org/events/
We invite you also to review and make suggestions on the Museum’s accessibility, as we move toward our winter planning season. Use our online accessibility survey to share your thoughts.
In case you are so inclined, September’s art challenge is sketching. Practice your gestures, composition, and birds, and tag your sketches with #sketchtember or #sketchtember2024 if you care to share them online. We encourage you to draw daily, because that just feels good to have that practice (like yoga). But if that’s not your thing, do it however you love.